USA PROUD ©2012 2 BE NC HMAD E KNI F E CO. C O. ORE GON C I TY, T Y, OR, US A. BE NC HMAD E . C O M variability in both group size and placement on the target. The overall aggregate group was .644". However, all 24 shots were inside the 1" ring. The mount was very fast to dismount and remount. QD mount 3 posted a .556" aggregate for 24 shots. Three shots were slightly outside the 1" ring. The groups were approximately in the same location on the target. The mount was a little difficult to remove as the levers were tight, short, and took some muscle to turn. Thus it was not quite as fast as the first two. Although the second two mounts did not provide the results of either the tactical mounts left on or QD mount-1 removed and remounted, all provided excellent results. If you think in practical terms, all were shooting well under 1 MOA and all were delivering shots to approximately the same location inside the 1" ring. All conditions being equal and given a perfect world, all would have posted 6" groups or better at 1,000 yards. Or, all would have hit an elk in the lung area at 500 yards with ease, even if the scope were removed and then remounted prior to the shot for some reason. In a competitive scenario, all would have hit a 1" dot at 100 yards, or a 6" plate at 600 yards during a 5-shot drill. Why did QD mount 1, manufactured by Al Talbot, post much better results? The Talbot QD base mount is not removed from the Picatinny rail. It does, however, accomplish the same need as the others. That is, the scope can be removed with the rings attached so that another scope can be quickly mounted. For example, when you travel, you might want to carry the scoped in a pack to prevent damage in transit. You might want a second scope pre-sighted in if the first one becomes damaged. Or you want a low-power scope like a red dot for close quarters and another for long range. The list goes on. with a hair dryer. Watch the crosshairs as you do. Floating off the aiming point does not occur with the Talbot mount because the stress caused by differential expansion is taken up by the spring, which adjusts to the force being exerted between the receiver, the mount, and the scope. There is another way to test the variability of QD mounts. A jig is used to hold a Picatinny rail so the scope and mount can be zeroed on a test pattern. The jig must be securely anchored. The scope is removed and then remounted a number of times. If claims are true, the crosshair should return to the same place on the test pattern each time. This was in fact done by the military, and the results were startling. The Talbot returned to zero so closely it was almost impossible to measure. While the bottom portion of the Talbot mount remains on the Picatinny rail, co-witness sights can still be used. And other scopes with the same top can be sighted in with the bottom. The other mounts can as well, but require the entire assembly. Thus, once purchased for any rifle, you need only purchase the top of the Talbot mount rather than the entire assembly. Bottom Line True, some QD mounts return to zero “enough” so most deliver practical and productive shots. I am not sure every QD mount on the market will perform as these three did. But I am willing to say the mounts tested performed productively. I can’t think of a situation where taking off the scope and placing it back on would cause a miss on any practical target to any range. MOUNT 1 TALBOT QD MOUNTS 2210 E. GRAND BLANC RD. GRAND BLANC, MI 48439 (810) 695-2497 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM/TALBOT PRICE: $255 (EXTRA RINGS: $80) MOUNT 2 ACCUCAM QD GG&G 3602 E. 42ND STRAVENUE TUCSON, AZ 85713 (800) 380-2540 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM/GGG-TACTICALPRODUCTS PRICE: $200 MOUNT 3: OBR QD SCOPE MOUNT LT-111 LARUE TACTICAL 850 COUNTRY RD. 177 LEANDER, TX 78641 (512) 259-1585 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM/ LARUE-TACTICAL PRICE: $245 stress relief 581 BARRAGE ® S T I N G L I K E A B U T T E R F LY G 10/ALUMIN UM HAN D L E M390 S UPER S TEEL B LADE The Talbot ring rail rides on hemispheric surfaces both front and rear below the rings on the base. The rear of the base mount is spring loaded. When replaced, the mount is forced back to the same location on those rounded hemispheres by the spring. An added benefit, if the temperature suddenly drops 30 degrees F, it induces differential expansion rates between metals with different properties. Until this stabilizes, stress is induced. This stress will make the crosshair begin to float off its original point of aim. This is easy to illustrate by setting the rifle up in such a way it can’t move. Then heat the scope, receiver, and mounts 18 W W W. G U N S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • A P R I L 2 0 1 2
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